I like talking.  At one point in my life, I never realized how much I did.  Equally though, I like listening.  Doing so helps you understand that other people outside of yourself share similar experiences and even more so, some have experiences that pale in comparison to yours, especially when dealing with adversity.

I had lunch today with a newly acquired colleague who invited me to lunch to basically “shoot the breeze” and get to know each other.  It was enlightening and entertaining and important, all at once.  At one point, we broached the subject of “The Laws of Attraction” part of whose principles are that it matters with whom you associate.  Knowing with whom you associate and how those associations help or hinder your progress or dreams is a key to moving towards your desires.

• Network your way to success.
• With whom you associate matters.

This doesn’t necessarily have to be deviously calculated.  In fact, I would guess (I could be wrong) that people who network with success and turn those networking opportunities  into associations that turn into opportunities do so effortlessly.  It becomes a part of one’s life, a person’s “personality” if you will.  Today’s lunch sort of reinforced that for me.

To digress though for a moment or two, I also really like talking to my wife.  We have a lot of great conversations about a variety of topics and I think we both learn at each opportunity something more in depth about each other.  My belief is that this helps us in our relationship because when you know how the person whom is the closest to you thinks, you don’t have to guess at certain points where you may be left wondering.  Like say for example, I really want to buy this new golf club set that I’ve had my eye on for a year, because I have had in depth conversations with my wife, I can know for certain how the conversation would go.

Okay, to ENTERTAIN you, I’ll give you a peek into our lives as it pertains to the above scenario:

We’re driving in the car home….

ME  .”So, how you doin’ bay-bee?”   

SHE  “Fine.  What do you want?”   

ME  “Huh?  What do you mean?  Why do I have to want something?  I mean, I was just askin’ how you doin’ you know?” 

SHE “Uh, Huh.  You can’t have those just yet because we need to pay bills.” 

ME  “What are you talkin’ ‘bout?  I haven’t asked for anything!” 

SHE “I know you’re thinking about those golf clubs and we have to pay bills right now so the answer is no!”

At this point I’m confused and dumbfounded that she would even KNOW I was thinking about the clubs, let alone contemplating buying them and I’m wondering to my self “How does she know!”  Dammit!!!!!  This essay helped me figure it out because to this point she’s just guessing I want something but to my detriment, if you notice, in defense of myself, every time I start a sentence, it starts with “Well…”  That is a dead-on clue that I want something, despite my protestations, so I have to start my sentences with something else in the future…

ME  “Well, (see, I haven’t learned) I just want you to know that I already have a set of clubs that work quite well, thank you very much!!!” 

SHE  “OK.  That’s all I’m sayin’”

ME “Fine!”

SHE “Don’t get that tone with me!!!”

ME “WHAT TONE?!!!!”

She “THAT TONE!!!”

Etc., etc.

Okay, at this point, neither one of us likes talking, especially to one another, especially on the subject of golf clubs!

And here, I’ve definitely learned something….never use “Well” in a sentence because then, she knows and you have given away your secret.  I’ve also learned that though we’ve had numerous great conversations, I’ve yet to figure out HOW she’ll react to certain trigger words like GOLF and CLUBS so everything I wrote above about not being left wondering how your partner will react is misguided, at least on the subject of golf.

I love you bay-bee, very much…..